Low water levels continue to dog Lake Powell at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area/Kurt Repanshek file

Vandalism at Acadia National Park, low water levels in Lake Powell that are placing Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in a bind, and new speciality license plates for fans of the Blue Ridge Parkway are among the stories circulating around the National Park System this week.

Acadian Vandalism

Acadia National Park officials would like to track down the paint-can-carrying hiker who has been spraying bright red blazes on rock cairns and trees in the park.

"Bright red paint defacing about two miles along the south ridge of Penobscot Mountain and the Deer Brook Trail has been reported to the National Park Service, which is now investigating," reports the folks at Acadia National Park On My Mind. "The illegal red rectangular blazes frequently were painted right next to the park’s official sky-blue blazes on the historic hiking trails, according to photos posted on Facebook by a hiker and provided to Friends of Acadia and the park in early February. At least two to three dozen historic-style cairns, trees and bedrock locations were painted with the red blazes, according to interviews with two hikers who took photos."

Park staff had little to say, other than than they're investigating.

The blog added that "[U]nder the code of federal regulations, vandalism in Acadia is a federal misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to $150 plus processing fees for each violation of property damage under $250. A mandatory court appearance, with a possible jail sentence up to six months, is required for a violation over $250."

You can read about other vandalism in the park at the blog's website.

Running Low At Lake Powell

While this winter's snowpack has been above normal, most of it is still frozen and of no immediate use for boosting the level of Lake Powell at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. As a result, the reservoir continues to drop in elevation, risking the ability of the Glen Canyon Dam to generate hydropower and challenging the National Park Service to maintain boat ramps.

"The nation’s second-largest reservoir is under pressure from climate change and steady demand, and is now the lowest it’s been since it was first filled in the 1960s," writes Alex Hager, a reporter at KUNC radio in Colorado. "Water levels fell to 3,522.16 feet above sea level, just below the previous record set in April 2022. The reservoir is currently about 22 percent full, and is expected to keep declining until around May, when mountain snowmelt rushes into the streams that flow downstream to Powell."

"... Those dropping water levels have spawned a crisis for the Bureau of Reclamation, the federal agency which manages the West’s largest dams, including Glen Canyon Dam and the hydroelectric turbines within," he added. "At 3,490 feet, a level referred to as 'minimum power pool,' Reclamation may be unable to generate hydropower for 5 million people across seven states. At 3,370 feet, the reservoir hits “dead pool,” at which point water can no longer pass through the dam by the power of gravity."

At Glen Canyon NRA, officials in their latest update cast some gloom over boating due to the lower water levels:

• North Lake Powell - Bullfrog North Ramp Operations: Additional boiler plate materials have been placed to extend motorized vessel access on the south side of the ramp for small, motorized vessels. The ramp became inoperable to houseboats and larger vessels when lake levels reached 3,529 feet (above sea level). The park will be monitoring this ramp as water levels change. Signs are posted "launch at your own risk.” The north side of the ramp is barricaded and hard closed. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for launching small vessels. 
• South Lake Powell – Stateline Auxiliary Ramp: This ramp remains operable 24/7 to motorized vessels of all sizes. The park has installed boiler plate material. The park is working with Aramark to extend the ramp once the water level recedes enough to be able to pour concrete. As was done last season during construction activities, the ramp will provide 24/7 access on boiler plates on one side of the ramp, while concrete is poured on the other side. When the new concrete has cured, access will rotate to the other side. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the park believes the bathymetry at this ramp will ensure sustainable, long-term motorized vessel access to south Lake Powell. The Stateline Auxiliary ramp is open for paddle craft users until May 1, 2023. 
• North Wash Primitive Ramp: Conditions at North Wash Ramp were recently reviewed and the primitive ramp is deteriorating rapidly. Prior to historic low water levels in Lake Powell, the North Wash Primitive Ramp was deemed unstainable by multiple hydrologists due to the dynamic hydrology of the Colorado River in this location. No additional work will be conducted in this area for the 2023 boating season. Rafters are advised to use the Bullfrog North Ramp downstream. 

Due to the complex mix of factors that affect Lake Powell’s water levels, Lake Powell boaters are asked to be aware that it will not be known when the lake reaches a certain water level until it occurs, a park release said. Information about Lake Powell marina services and water level statistics are available 24/7 at this website: Changing Lake Levels - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service). Before heading to the lake, boaters should check the park’s website for the status of their preferred launch/retrieval destination.  Information is also available at this link LAKE POWELL AT GLEN CANYON DAM, AZ - USGS Water Data for the Nation  

Blue Ridge Parkway Plates

The Virginia General Assembly has approved the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s specialty license plate. Proceeds from sales will support enhancements and programs along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Thanks to Parkway supporters, the Foundation exceeded the 450 preorders required to secure approval for the license plate. It will be the only specialty plate in the commonwealth solely dedicated to funding projects and programs along the Parkway. 

“We are so grateful to all the Virginians who placed a preorder for the plate and helped us create a new source of support for the national park in their backyard,” said Carolyn Ward, CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. 

In 2022, the park welcomed more than 15.7 million visitors. Unlike many large national parks, the Parkway does not charge an admission fee, making the scenic route more vulnerable to shortfalls in government funding, maintenance backlogs, and building closures.

The plate legislation garnered widespread support, ranging from Augusta County to the Roanoke Regional Chamber to Patrick County.

The specialty plate fee is $25, of which $15 will go toward key improvements along the Parkway, including repairs at trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Funding will also support projects such as wildlife studies, historic preservation, and educational programs. A personalized plate is available for $35. The specialty plate is available for vehicles and motorcycles.